Boeing [NYSE: BA] today broke ground to begin construction of a new 370,000 square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility located at Cecil Airport that, once complete, will support Boeing's ability to deliver readiness outcomes for U.S. government customers.
The facility will include eight new hangars, additional work space and offices where Boeing maintainers, engineers and data analysts will support U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft. The facility's close proximity to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Boeing's Training Systems Center of Excellence in west Jacksonville, and local academic institutions make it a leading location for the development and delivery of innovative product support, underpinned by collaborative research and engineering.
"Today's groundbreaking is another milestone in Florida's historic role of supporting every aspect of the mission fulfilled by our men and women in uniform," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Boeing's decision to invest in new facilities at Jacksonville's Cecil Airport to provide sustainment for the military through modification, repair, and overhaul affirms our state's role as the leader in aerospace and will result in the creation of new, high-skilled jobs that will enhance our workforce."
"With this physical growth comes the ability to meet the evolving needs of our nation's servicemen and women," said Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services. "The Boeing team in Jacksonville are experts at performing complex military aircraft modifications, and we're excited to partner with our customer to tackle what's next in the MRO space, like using data analytics to help minimize aircraft downtime, or applying digital tools to optimize and integrate our support approach."
The groundbreaking ceremony celebrates a 25-year lease agreement between Boeing and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA). Under the agreement, the JAA will construct and lease to Boeing new facilities on approximately 30 acres located on the northeast side of Cecil Airport, near Boeing's existing MRO site. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2023.
"This is the largest development project in the history of Cecil Airport," Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) CEO Mark VanLoh said. "Once completed, Boeing's new facility will bring more high-paying jobs to the region, elevate Northeast Florida's standing in the aerospace industry and position Cecil as one of the country's best airports for aviation-related development."
Since opening its existing MRO facilities at Cecil Airport in 1999, Boeing teammates have maintained, modified and upgraded 1,030 aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, including the F/A-18 A-D Hornet, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. The Boeing team at the site also converts F/A-18 Super Hornets into flight demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Blue Angel squadron as well as modifies retired F-16s into the next generation of autonomous aerial targets for the U.S. Air Force. The facility is also home to a Flight Control Repair Center that provides structural repairs to F/A-18 A-F and EA-18G flight control surfaces.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.
